are an initial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are an initial" is not correct in standard written English without additional context.
It could be used in a sentence where "initial" refers to something that is first or preliminary, but it typically requires more information to be clear. Example: "The letters you provided are an initial representation of your ideas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

These cards are an initial step.

The Guardian

The first 20 evaluations are an initial training run using a simple Nelder-Mead algorithm.

Nature

There are an initial 38 workshops and courses with many more day-long and weekend events.

The Telegraph

The two main products of the analysis phase of FOOM are an initial class diagram and OO-DFDs (dataflow diagrams including data classes rather than traditional data-stores).

Information and Software Technology

The three tests are an initial evaluation of tensile strength, an open-hole uniaxial fatigue test and a modified stress relaxation test.

International Journal of Fatigue

Its signal accomplishments to date are an initial stimulus package that was overrun by the calamity at hand and a marathon health care battle as yet better known for its unseemly orgy of backroom wrangling than its concrete results.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"This was an initial step".

The New York Times

"One is an initial public offering.

The New York Times - Sports

There is an initial cost though.

The Guardian - Money

Yet there is an initial problem here.

The Guardian - Books

So, that's an initial success.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as an initial step, ensure that the subject of the sentence is singular if you use "is" (e.g., "This is an initial step"). If the subject is plural, use "are" with a plural noun or a revised construction (e.g., "These are initial steps" or "These represent an initial stage").

Common error

Avoid using "are an initial" when the subject requires singular agreement. This often occurs when attempting to describe multiple items collectively as a single initial phase. Rephrase to ensure grammatical correctness, such as "These represent an initial phase" or "These are initial components".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are an initial" is typically used to describe something at its early stages, although it often appears in grammatically incorrect constructions. Ludwig indicates potential grammatical errors, suggesting a need for rephrasing to achieve subject-verb agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are an initial" frequently appears when describing a starting point, but, according to Ludwig, it is often grammatically incorrect. It's important to ensure subject-verb agreement and proper article usage when conveying this meaning. Common contexts for this expression include science, news, and formal business settings. When aiming for clarity and grammatical precision, consider alternatives like "represent an initial," "constitute a first," or revising to "These are initial steps". Keep in mind there are a lot of better ways to express this exact same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represent an initial

Change in verb. "Represent" emphasizes the showing or portraying aspect of being an initial step.

constitute a first

Uses "constitute" and "first" to highlight the fundamental or foundational nature of something.

mark an early

Emphasizes the earliness of the stage being described. "Mark" indicates the beginning.

begin as a starting

Highlights the act of beginning, making the initial aspect explicit.

form a preliminary

"Form" conveys the action of creating something at the outset. "Preliminary" replaces initial to stress the preparatory nature.

serve as a pilot

Uses "serve as" which indicates a specific function and "pilot" to describe a trial phase.

are a basic

Uses "basic" to refer to the fundamental, underlying elements or aspects.

introduce a primary

"Introduce" directly addresses the action of bringing something new forward. "Primary" underscores the core or main aspect.

act as a prototype

Emphasizes the function as an example or model that is followed.

launch a foundational

Highlights the action of launching and emphasizes the basis that follows.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "are an initial" in a sentence?

To use the idea of something being at the beginning or serving as a first step, ensure subject-verb agreement. For a plural subject, you might say, "These steps "constitute an initial attempt"" or "These actions "mark an early stage"".

What's a grammatically sound alternative to "are an initial"?

Alternatives depend on the context, but options include using "represent an initial" (e.g., "These findings "represent an initial step"") or rephrasing to say "These are initial steps" if you're referring to multiple items.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "are an initial"?

The phrase "are an initial" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. It's typically an error in subject-verb agreement or an incorrect article usage. Correct usage would involve rephrasing, such as "These "are a preliminary stage"" or "These "represent an initial effort"".

Which is more correct, "is an initial" or "are an initial"?

"Is an initial" is grammatically correct if the subject is singular (e.g., "This "is an initial effort""). "Are an initial" is generally incorrect unless significantly rephrased.